Visual inspection device

• US 8,659,652 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2012
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Schneider, Scott, Gray, Rick, Chan, Raymond Wai-Man, Tse, Desmond Wai-Nang, Badajos, Errol John U., Chow, Derek Chiu-Hing, Sanoner, Hugues Marie R. F., Fry, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Le H
• Application Number:
  US13/470,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20120224047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 600/127, 600/131, 600/160, 600/162, 600/102, 600/104, 600/125, 606/1, 348/82
• US Class Current: 348/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00022 removable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.

Claims

1. A visual inspection device comprising:

a body including a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion, the grip portion defining a first axis;

a flexible cable including a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, the first end portion defining a second axis;

a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable, the camera assembly including an image sensor, the image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable;

a display supported by the support portion of the body, the display electrically connected to the flexible cable to display images captured by the image sensor, the display defining a display plane;

a battery terminal supported by the grip portion, the battery terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the image sensor and the display; and

a rechargeable battery pack including a coupling mechanism that engages the body to releasably secure the battery pack to the body, a portion of the battery pack being engageable with the battery terminal, the battery terminal being generally exposed when the battery pack is not secured to the body,

wherein the first axis intersects the display plane at a first angle, the second axis intersects the first axis at a second angle, and the second axis intersects the display plane at a third angle, and wherein the first angle is less than the third angle.

2. The visual inspection device of claim 1, wherein the flexible cable is removably coupled to the body.

3. The visual inspection device of claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes at least one battery cell and an outer housing, wherein the outer housing defines a portion of the body when the battery pack is coupled to the inspection device.

4. The visual inspection device of claim 3, wherein the battery cell is a lithium-ion battery cell.

5. The visual inspection device of claim 1, wherein the battery pack includes a receptacle, and wherein the receptacle receives the battery terminal to electrically connect the battery pack to the battery terminal.

6. The visual inspection device of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism of the battery pack further includes an actuator, and wherein the actuator is operable to disengage the battery pack from the body.

7. The visual inspection device of claim 1, wherein the display plane intersects the first axis at an acute angle.

8. The visual inspection device of claim 1, further comprising a processing unit configured to receive image data from the image sensor.

9. The visual inspection device of claim 8, wherein the processing unit is connected to an external memory device.

10. A system of electrical devices comprising:

a visual inspection device, the visual inspection device including

a body including a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion, the grip portion defining a first axis,

a flexible cable including a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, the first end portion defining a second axis,

a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable, the camera assembly including an image sensor, the image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable,

a display supported by the support portion of the body, the display electrically connected to the flexible cable to display images captured by the image sensor, the display defining a display plane, and

a battery terminal being electrically connected to at least the display,

wherein the first axis intersects the display plane at a first angle, the second axis intersects the first axis at a second angle, and the second axis intersects the display plane at a third angle, and wherein the first angle is less than the third angle; and

a removable and rechargeable battery pack configured to be coupled to and provide power to the inspection device, the removable and rechargeable battery pack including a coupling mechanism that engages the body to releasably secure the battery pack to the body, a portion of the battery pack being engageable with the battery terminal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the flexible cable is removably coupled to the body.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the light source includes a light-emitting diode (“

LED”

) positioned adjacent the image sensor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the LED includes at least a low brightness setting and a high brightness setting.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the battery pack includes at least one battery cell and an outer housing, wherein the outer housing defines a portion of the body when the battery pack is coupled to the inspection device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery cell is a lithium-ion battery cell.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a power tool.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the removable and rechargeable battery pack is also configured to be coupled to and provide power to the power tool.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the power tool is selected from the group consisting of a drill, a screwdriver, and a saw.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the visual inspection device further includes a processing unit configured to receive image data from the image sensor.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processing unit is connected to an external memory device.